Alex's Auto Body I, Inc.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

Alex Auto shop did not responded or addressed to any of my complains such as:
1. an overcharge for towing
2. my car was parked illegally on the street for 23 days and I was charged an exurban amount of money for this.
3.multiple fees such as labor, admin fees and estimates were charged but no work was done to my car.
4. refusal of accepting a credit cards as a method of payment and refusing to release my car a full payment in cash.
 
 
 
 
In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.
Sincerely,[redacted]

Review: Dear Sir/Madam:

On August **, 2015, at about 6pm, I was involved in an accident on [redacted]. Police officers from the [redacted] precinct that responded to the call, were on site and called a towing company. The owner of “Alex Auto Body” arrived on site before the tow truck. When I requested to have my car towed to the shop of my choice, he refused by saying that since the police called his towing service, he must bring the car to his shop.

He did not provided me with any paperwork or a receipt for the towing service. My car was dropped off across the street from his body shop, was parked on the public street and left there illegally parked until September [redacted] at which time I took my car from this body shop. (2 insurance adjusters can confirm that)

On the day following the accident, I came to the body shop to determine the length and cost of the process, Alex persuaded me that he can do an excellent job and that he will not charge me the storage or towing fees if kept my car in his shop.

During the three weeks that my car was in his possession, I was unable to get in touch with him or a manager for days at a time to find out the status of the claim, until I opened a claim myself. Phone messages were not returned. Garage was closed multiple days and no one was answering phone calls.

Management never provided any written estimates, but changed the price of the repairs 3 times. On September [redacted], during a phone conversation, Alex requested payment for storage and repair upfront before he would start working on the car.

On September [redacted], I arrived to take my car from his shop. The manager, after talking to the owner on the phone, refused to accept a credit card or a check as a payment and would not release my car without paying him the full amount in cash (receipt is attached).

I was charged $150 for towing when there was at most, 2 miles from the location of the accident to this body shop (An office sign indicated prices that were very different, specifically $65 for the first mile and $5 each additional mile) and “administrative” and estimate fees that were added on top of the 23 days of storage on a public street.

I was provided with no choices in this matter and was manipulated into leaving my car with a garage that not only did not live up to their promise, but also required me to overpay for services that were not delivered honestly and efficiently. I did not have my car for 23 days and had additional payments to commute to and from work. I am deeply concerned about how this garage operates and takes advantage of people within this community.Desired Settlement: I am deeply concerned about how this garage operates and takes advantage of people within this community.

Business

Response:

This is to address [redacted] complaint about our services. When our towing service responded to the accident on August [redacted], to pick up the vehicle, [redacted] was not the registered owner. According to NYC DARP laws, I may not release the vehicle to an unregistered owner. [redacted] stated that the registered owner was oversea's at the time of the accident. Once the vehicle was in the shop we received an email on 09/**/15 with a copy of the police report. [redacted] mentioned in the email to NOT contact any insurance company until he received a cash estimate. An estimate was provided to [redacted], however he then requested to contact the insurance company. At first we contacted the insurance company of the person who was at fault, that insurance company was [redacted]. However, [redacted] denied liability and [redacted] contacted his own insurance company [redacted]. During all this time we have been in contact with [redacted] via email and phone calls, attached are the email conversations we shared. After his own insurance company came and saw the vehicle, [redacted] contacted us and then requested us to do the repair to his vehicle for a fraction of the estimate that was written by [redacted], however that is impossible. [redacted] at that point was upset and wanted his vehicle out of the shop. Originally we did inform [redacted] that we will not charge him for towing or storage if he allows us to repair his vehicle, however at this point he wanted his vehicle out of the shop, leaving us with no choice but to charge him for tow and storage and other applicable fees for all the work and back and forth we provided the customer with. It is very upsetting to receive this complaint from him because we were in contact with [redacted] constantly and did all we could to satisfy the customer. However it seems [redacted] intentions where to keep most of the money from the insurance claim he did with [redacted].

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

Alex Auto shop did not responded or addressed to any of my complains such as:1. an overcharge for towing2. my car was parked illegally on the street for 23 days and I was charged an exurban amount of money for this.3.multiple fees such as labor, admin fees and estimates were charged but no work was done to my car.4. refusal of accepting a credit cards as a method of payment and refusing to release my car a full payment in cash.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Review: An upfront payment of $429 for the future car repair was taken. As some circumstances were changed, the repair was not needed anymore since the lease company agreed to take the car back with lesser cost. Since no service was provided. we asked for money back (at least partial return) but were denied. I can understand "no refund" policies, but in this particular case, when there was no work done, I don't see how that could be legal. The [redacted] offered to come back any time we needed work done and he would use the money.

I think the money should have been returned.Desired Settlement: I would like to have my money back.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Alex's Auto Body I, Inc. regarding complaint ID [redacted].

Sincerely,